Do you consider yourself a happy person? If so, what makes you happy? Your work, your family, your religious inclination? Maybe you are looking forward to something that may make you happy, such as finish your schooling, getting a good job, or buying a new car. Many people experience a measure of happiness when they reach a certain goal or obtain a desired item. But how long does that surge of happiness last? Often, it is temporary, which can be disappointing.
''Happiness has been described as a state of well-being that is characterized by relative permanence, by emotions ranging from mere contentment to deep and intense joy in living , by a natural desire for it to continue''
Happiness has been described elsewhere not a destination of goal but as a journey. Just like saying or asking, how does one attain a good and healthy life style? We follow a wise path in regard to diet, exercise and overall lifestyle. Likewise , happiness results from following a path in life, living in harmony with simple but sound principles.
Qualities and principles of life characterize the way of happiness. While some are important than others, the under-examined play a major role:
GENEROSITY AND CONTENTMENT
“Sweet is the sleep of the one serving, whether he eats little or much, but the plenty belonging to the rich does not permit him to sleep.’’
In part, the letdown many people faces today is basically because of craving for money that cannot be satisfied. Do not wear yourself out to gain wealth. Stop and show understanding. When you cast your eyes on it, it is not there, for it will surely sprout wings like an eagle and fly off. The love for money can lead to:
•Worry and loss of sleep
•Disappointment
•Grief and frustration
The love of money is a root of all sort injurious things, and by reaching out for this love some have………stabbed themselves all over with many pains.
But on the other hand, happiness comes to those who:
√Are content with what they have.
√Are generous.
√Put people before things.
Dear readers and steemians, please, be informed that we have brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out. So, having food and clothing, we will be content with these things. People who are content are not disposed to complain or grumble, and their attitude protects them against envy. And because their desires do not exceed their means, they spare themselves needless anxiety and stress.
There is more happiness in giving than in receiving. Generous people are happy because they enjoy making other people happy, even if all they can give is a little of their time and energy. They often gain in abundance what no amount of money can buy-love, respect, and genuine friends, who give generously in return.
“** Better is a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened bull where there is hatred.**”
The point? Loving relationship with others are more valuable than material riches. And love is vital to happiness.
Matilda, a woman who lived in Jos-Nigeria, learned the value of generosity, having being abandoned by her husband, she struggled to obtain life’s necessities for herself and her two daughters. She held two jobs and daily rose at 4:00 a.m . Despite her grueling schedule, Matilda decided to research on how truly she can find happiness. The result?
Her economic status remained much the same. But her outlook on life improved dramatically! For example, she gained the happiness that comes from satisfying one’s spiritual need. She experience the happiness of giving by sharing with others what she had learned. Wisdom is vindicated by its results. On that basis, generosity and contentment as well as putting people before things stand thoroughly vindicate!
PHYSICAL HEALTH AND RESILIENCE
Habitual eating or drinking to excess is obviously bad for our health- not to mention our finances! Do not be among those who drink too much wine, among those who gorge themselves with meat, for a drunkard and a glutton will come to poverty. Let us cleanse ourselves of every defilement of flesh and spirit. People defile their bodies when they chew or smoke tobacco or abuse alcohol or drugs. Smoking for example leads to disease and disability and harms nearly every organ of the body, says the U.S Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.
View your body as a precious gift of nature and jealously nurture your body for balances in the development of your life. Appreciating that fact moves us to avoid taking needless risks, whether we are at work, driving, or choosing our recreation. A momentary thrill is not worth a life of disability!
Your mind and body are closely linked. So try to avoid undue anxiety, unbridled anger, envy and other harmful emotions. A calm heart gives life to the body, as a joyful heart is medicine to the body. This is a scientifically sound statement. If you are happy, said a doctor in (LUTH)LAGOS UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL; you are likely in the future to have less in the way of physical illness than those who are unhappy.
“when applied, God’s laws and principles restore strength, cause the heart to rejoice, and make the eyes shine.”
The bible encourages us to….
°Be moderate in habits
°Take good care of our body
°View life a sacred
°Control negative emotions
°Focus on positive thoughts
°Build resilience
**LOVE**
No marriage, family, or friendship can thrive without it. It stands to reason, therefore, that love is essential to mental health and happiness, what, though, is meant by ‘’love’’?
*”The love referred to here is not romantic love, which, of course, has its place. Rather, it is a superior form of love that causes a person to show sincere concern for the welfare of others, even putting them before self. it is love that is guided by godly principles but is by no means devoid of warmth and feeling.’’
A beautiful description of love states: Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous. It does not brag, does not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interest, and does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury, it does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things,… hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Love promotes happiness because it:
Helps us to show sincere concern for the welfare of others
Can grow stronger over time
Gives strength and resilience to friendships and marriages
Help children to thrive and feel secure
Makes us more like our creator
FORGIVENESS
“** during my childhood, I heard a lot of insults and screaming.**’’
Said a woman named Aisha. I did not learn to forgive. Even as an adult, I would dwell on an offence for days, losing sleep. Yes, a life filled anger and resentment is neither a happy one nor healthy one. Indeed, studies show that unforgiving people may….
Let anger or bitterness sour relationships, leading to isolation and loneliness.
Become easily offended, anxious, or even severely depressed.
Become so focused on a wrong that they cannot enjoy life.
Feels that they are at odds with their spiritual values.
Experience increased and a higher risk of ill health, including high blood pressure, and paid disorder, such as arthritis and headaches.
Forgiveness means pardoning an offender and letting go of an anger, resentment, and thoughts of revenge. It does not mean condoning a wrong, minimizing it, or pretending that it did not happen. Rather, forgiveness is a well-thought-out personal choice that reflects a loving commitment to peace and to build or maintain a good relationship with other person.
Forgiveness also reflects understanding. A forgiving person understands that we all err, or sin, in word and deed. Forgiveness is an important facet of love which is a perfect bond of union. According to Mayo clinic website, forgiveness leads to…
Healthy relationships, including feelings of empathy, understanding and compassion for the offender.
Improved mental and spiritual well-being.
Less anxiety, stress and hostility.
Fewer symptoms of depression.
Self-forgiveness can be the most difficult to achieve, yet the most important to health- mental and physical- according to the journal ‘’Disability & Rehabilitation’’. What can help you forgive yourself?
Do not expect perfection from yourself, but realistically accept that you-like all of us-will make mistakes.
Learn from your errors so you will be less likely to repeat them.
Be patient with yourself; some personality flaws and bad habits may not go away overnight.
Associate with friend who are encouraging , positive, and kind but who will also be honest with you.
If you hurt someone, take responsibility for it and be quick to apologize. When you make peace, you will gain inner peace.